Well of Hope celebrates 16 years of giving with 'Blessed to be a Blessing' Thanksgiving dinner

FLINT, Michigan — The nonprofit Well of Hope, in partnership with Catholic Charities, is set to host the 16th annual ‘Blessed to be a Blessing’ Thanksgiving dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 26, from 4-6 p.m. The event will be held at the Center for Hope, located at 812 Root St., offering a festive holiday meal and family-friendly activities designed to uplift the community.

Attendees can look forward to a traditional Thanksgiving feast, including macaroni and cheese, yams, greens, ham, turkey, cornbread dressing, and an assortment of desserts. The celebration will also feature music by DJ C-Nice, entertainment from the Round One Mobile Gaming Lab, and free health screenings focused on kidney disease awareness.

This year’s “Sweet 16” theme will include special giveaways and surprises to mark the milestone.

The event is made possible with the support of local sponsors, including Michigan Health Specialist, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Genesee Health System, 1855 & Co., Peckham Inc., Pentecostal Temple Apostolic Church, Valley Area Agency on Aging, and HAP CareSource.

A Legacy of Giving Back

Chia Morgan, the founder of the annual dinner and newly elected President of Well of Hope, reflected on the event’s impact over the years.
Chia Morgan during last year's 'Blessed to be a Blessing' Thanksgiving dinner. (Courtesy photo)
“This is a surreal feeling,” said Morgan. “I am just a girl from the north side of Flint that literally had a dream. My heart is in and with this community, so I am elated that they have accepted the love from Well of Hope for 16 years.”

At this year's dinner, Morgan looks forward to creating more lasting memories, hearing stories of impact from attendees, and seeing children enjoy the mobile gaming truck.

Beyond Thanksgiving: Supporting Families Year-Round

In addition to the Thanksgiving dinner, Well of Hope is extending its commitment to the community through a new initiative.

The organization will provide financial assistance to help children in Flint and Genesee County stay connected with their incarcerated parents via video calls.

“Kids need their parents, and unless there’s a reason preventing it, we want to help them stay connected,” said Morgan. “I know firsthand the importance of staying connected to family.”

For those interested in contributing, Well of Hope offers several ways to get involved year-round. Donations can be made to its free-standing food pantries which are located at Monteith & Dougherty, Alma & MLK, Myrtle & Saginaw, and 1422 W. Court St.

Morgan added, “While ‘Blessed to be a Blessing’ is just one day, our mission holds true all year.”

To learn more about Well of Hope’s initiatives, visit their website or attend the 'Blessed to be a Blessing' Thanksgiving dinner to join in the spirit of giving.
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Read more articles by Tia Scott.